Splash! Spring 2003

When I founded the school ten years ago I was warned by many well-meaning onlookers that: I was following a pipedream; I had no idea what I was in for; and if a private arts school was such a good idea, someone else would already have tried it. For the most part, they were right! I was certainly following a dream. I wanted to create high quality arts experiences for children and adults in a warm and supportive environment.

It takes more than a dreamer to realize a dream. In fact, left to their own devices, dreamers like me are often unable to bring a vision to fruition. Just as it takes a whole community to raise a child, it takes a whole team to elevate a dream to a reality. The school has attracted gifted and talented faculty and administrators who strive to keep us on a course of constant improvement and innovation. Together we have tried to create an atmosphere for learning that is congenial and joyful. We are committed to continuing to grow, to improve and to create new kinds of programs that more and more people will value. We want our students to grow with us and therefore, we would like to offer more classes that address their evolving needs. We hope to start a children's theatre company and to create more opportunities for all to display the art they produce to wider audiences. We want to expand upon our teacher-training program so that teachers in the public school system will develop the skills, confidence and enthusiasm needed to impart a love of the arts to their students. We want to help people find the joy in creating!

When we create we discover the unique side of ourselves. For many of us, the opportunity to come together to make this happen for ourselves and for others is its own reward.

Sort, with works by Iza Mokrosz • Gallery TPW, April 3-May 3, 2003 and at Bus Gallery, April 19-May 12, 2003

Mayfest – Deaf Festival, with works by Susie Whaley • North Market at the St. Lawrence Market on Front St., Friday, May 9, 2003

Solo Exhibition, with works by Moira Clark • Loop Gallery, 1174 Queen St. West, May 22-June 15, 2003

Editorial	Student Profile
To Dream the Impossible Dream	Ten-Year Veteran
When I founded the school ten years ago I was warned by many well-meaning onlookers that: I was following a pipedream; I had no idea what I was in for; and if a private arts school was such a good idea, someone else would already have tried it. For the most part, they were right! I was certainly following a dream. I wanted to create high quality arts experiences for children and adults in a warm and supportive environment. It takes more than a dreamer to realize a dream. In fact, left to their own devices, dreamers like me are often unable to bring a vision to fruition. Just as it takes a whole community to raise a child, it takes a whole team to elevate a dream to a reality. The school has attracted gifted and talented faculty and administrators who strive to keep us on a course of constant improvement and innovation. Together we have tried to create an atmosphere for learning that is congenial and joyful. We are committed to continuing to grow, to improve and to create new kinds of programs that more and more people will value. We want our students to grow with us and therefore, we would like to offer more classes that address their evolving needs. We hope to start a children's theatre company and to create more opportunities for all to display the art they produce to wider audiences. We want to expand upon our teacher-training program so that teachers in the public school system will develop the skills, confidence and enthusiasm needed to impart a love of the arts to their students. We want to help people find the joy in creating! When we create we discover the unique side of ourselves. For many of us, the opportunity to come together to make this happen for ourselves and for others is its own reward. *Lola Rasminsky, Director* Faculty Shows The Bog Series, works by Kathleen Vaughan • Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, QC, March 6-April 13, 2003 Lining, works by Sadko Hadzihasanovic • Paul Petro Gallery, 980 Queen St. West, March 14-April 5, 2003 Solo Exhibition, works by Klaas Hendrik Hart • Loch Gallery, 16 Hazelton Ave., opening March 29, 2003 Inside Art, with works by Marsha Stonehouse • Metro Convention Centre, March 12-14, 2003 Sort, with works by Iza Mokrosz • Gallery TPW, April 3-May 3, 2003 and at Bus Gallery, April 19-May 12, 2003 Canada Pops Orchestra Concert, with David Warrack, featuring special guest, Louise Pitre • Massey Hall, Thursday, April 24, 2003 Mayfest – Deaf Festival, with works by Susie Whaley • North Market at the St. Lawrence Market on Front St., Friday, May 9, 2003 Solo Exhibition, with works by Moira Clark • Loop Gallery, 1174 Queen St. West, May 22-June 15, 2003 Solo Exhibition, works by Christa Rowley • Insomnia Café, 563 Bloor St. West, August 11-September 8, 2003	Patti Goodman has attended the Broadway Showtunes class every year since the school opened in 1993 and as she puts it: "I ain't stopping." What attracted her to the Avenue Road Arts School in the first place was its warm, intimate feeling. For her, going to the school on Monday nights to experience the joy of singing and the camaraderie has been absolutely wonderful. She loves everything about her class led by Patrick Rose and David Warrack – the high energy, the people and, of course, the music. Patti developed her love of showtunes, opera and theatre as a child. Her mother played the piano and the whole family would often gather around to sing on Sunday afternoons. She is so keen on musicals that she recently saw the movie Chicago four times! Patti sees music as a therapeutic part of her life. "Coming to the Showtunes class is a three-day weekend," she insists. She always leaves the Monday night session feeling "up" and ready to take on the rest of the week. As an unexpected bonus, she has made some new friends in her class whom she now sees socially from time to time. Patti retired from her job at the Baycrest Foundation last year and since then has been volunteering her time for the Canada Pops Orchestra, whose conductor is David Warrack. Many of the people who serve on the Volunteer Committee of the Orchestra are her classmates. Lately, she's been selling tickets to the next Canada Pops Concert, April 24, featuring Louise Pitre, star of Broadway's Mamma Mia. For more information on this show, visit www.canadapops.ca.

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